Elks & Cooperative Extension give gardening kits to Pre-K kids

Staff Reports

From left, Penn Yan Elks Lodge members Jamie Sisson, George Dowse, Ginny Turner, Paul Enos, and from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Yates County, Caroline Boutard-Hunt with some of the 200 kids gardening kits distributed to Yates County Pre-K classes.

YATES COUNTY — Penn Yan Elks Lodge #1722 and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Yates County partnered together to distribute 200 Children’s Gardening Kits to Pre-K students across Yates County.

The project was funded by a grant from Elks National Foundation to be used in a multi-pronged approach to enhance the connection between young children and nature.

In addition to the kits, the grant will provide for online and in-person age-appropriate education and support. Finally, the grant will provide funds for creating children’s seed and plant beds in the Penn Yan and Dundee Community Gardens, allowing children to sample fresh vegetables and explore freely.